IAAC designs the Mobile World Capital Pavilion at MWC 2025

The Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) takes center stage once again at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, designing the Mobile WorldCapital Barcelona pavilion. Under the theme “Living in Tech”, the pavilion offers an immersive exploration of the coexistence between people and technology in urban environments.

As the world’s largest connectivity event, MWC 2025 gathers global technology leaders, industry innovators, and policymakers, expecting to exceed last year’s attendance of 101,000 visitors. The event was officially inaugurated by King Felipe VI of Spain, accompanied by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Minister of Digital Transformation Óscar López, Mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni, and other key figures, reinforcing Spain’s strategic role in the digital transformation landscape.

Designed by a team from IAAC, led by its Founder and Director, Vicente Guallart, and Daniel Ibañez, the pavilion takes inspiration from the Mediterranean loggia, a traditional urban structure that fosters gatherings, discussions, and social interaction. This architectural concept aligns with the vision of Society 5.0, where AI, IoT, and big data seamlessly integrate into daily life, enhancing sustainability, economic balance, and social well-being.

At the heart of the pavilion stands an immersive dome, a digital art installation displaying real-time urban data, offering a sensory experience of technology’s impact on future cities. The auditorium, a key feature of the space, incorporates original seating from FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, donated to commemorate the club’s 125th anniversary.

The pavilion brings technology to life through interactive demonstrations that showcase the ongoing digital transformation of cities. A digital twin simulator developed by the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) allows visitors to experience real-time urban data modeling, while an advanced flight simulation by Vueling presents the latest innovations in transportation.

These experiences provide tangible insights into the future of mobility, automation, and digital communication, reinforcing Barcelona’s role as a global hub of innovation.

Engineered by CODA, the pavilion exemplifies advanced timber construction, featuring over 1,000 CNC-milled wooden components meticulously assembled with 5,000 screws. It showcases IAAC’s expertise in transforming flat elements into complex curved forms, a technique previously explored in projects such as the Fab Lab House. Fabricated and assembled in collaboration with Tallfusta, the pavilion also benefited from the hands-on involvement of MAEBB student volunteers, reinforcing IAAC’s commitment to integrating real-world applications into its educational programs.

With “Living in Tech” at MWC25, Mobile World Capital Barcelona and IAAC provide a platform to explore how technology can support more sustainable, efficient, and connected urban environments. The pavilion becomes a dynamic digital agora, where innovation and daily life converge.

CREDITS

Design of the Pavilion: IAAC, Vicente Guallart, Daniel Ibáñez
Contents Direction: OFFF Studio
Loggia Engineering: CODA Office (Gerard Bertomeu, Pep Tornabell, Enrique Soriano)
Structural Construction: Tallfusta
Construction Management: Oriol Carrasco, Bruno Ganem
IAAC Construction Team: Olly Needham, Alkis Avarkiotis, Sipan Celiker, Ateet Singh, Breno Martinelli, Shannon Shahan
AV & Media: Custom Project
Experience Design: Gracias Grecia
Cupola Content Production: Tigrelab
Technical Direction & Assembly: AP7